Cocaine Anonymous Background
CocaineA strong stimulant developed initially for medical purposes, but now used primarily as a recreational drug. It is an addictive drug; however, it induces mental rather than physical withdrawal symptoms. Anonymous is a 12-step program designed to provide a place for cocaine addicts and users of other mind-altering substances to get cleanPhysical sobriety from a specific substance on which the individual is dependent. This can refer to either when the substance leaves the system or the amount of time since it was last taken. and sober. Following the same format as Alcoholics Anonymous, the fellowshipThis refers to the members of AA and the bonds of support between them. It is this fellowship that allows addicts to share their stories and accept each other in a world that is not always understanding. focuses on a program that utilizes twelve steps and twelve traditions to obtain and maintain sobrietyIn 12-step programs, an individual is sober when they are no longer partaking in the behavior or substance to which they are addicted and living a better life following the program. Both are necessary to achieve sobriety.. Although Cocaine Anonymous has no affiliation with Alcoholics AnonymousThe original 12-step fellowship, formed in 1935, to help alcoholics, regain control over their lives. It remains the largest 12-step organization and has contributed to the sobriety of millions worldwide. Read more about Alcoholics Anonymous, the group was given permission to adapt the same steps and traditions.
The programThis refers to any official course of treatment for addiction. This could be anything from in-patient facilities, to 12-step programs to harm-reduction programs. was founded in 1982 by Johnny S., Ray G., and Gilbert M. who were searching for a group to help deal with their addiction issues. During that period of time, they hadn’t felt welcome at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings because they did not necessarily struggle with alcoholAn organic compound used in many products, most notably intoxicating drinks. Alcohol addiction is known as alcoholism. The first 12-step program was devised to deal with that malady., so they formed Cocaine Anonymous. Johnny S. worked in the film industry and knew many individuals who struggled with cocaine addiction. In the first year, the fellowship had over 2,000 members. The first piece of literature was “To the NewcomerAn individual attending a 12-step meeting for the first time. In most cases, they meet with a veteran member first.,” which helped explain the program and what it was developed to do. The fellowship also utilizes the “Big BookThe basic text of AA was the first to methodically introduce the 12-steps. It is still the main source for meetings and is quoted in just about all AA and other 12-step literature. the Library of Congress named it one of the 88 “Books that shaped America.” Read more about the Big Book of AA.” from Alcoholics Anonymous to provide more resources for its members.
What Cocaine Anonymous Entails
Cocaine Anonymous focuses on the same twelve stepsThe term "12 steps" refers to the core principles of the approach to addiction exemplified by Alcoholics Anonymous and other similar groups. The 12 steps are a set of guidelines designed to help individuals overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. They were created by the founders of Alcoholics A... as Alcoholics Anonymous. The first step of the program states “We admitted we were powerless over cocaine and all other mind-altering substances – that our lives had become unmanageable.” The only requirement for membership to the program is the desire to stop using cocaine and any other substances. Although the group suffered problems when the program was first created back in 1982, it emphasizes on the idea that regardless of whether or not cocaine is the immediate problem, abstaining from all drugs and alcohol is the only way to maintain sobriety.
There are no religious requirements for joining the program of Cocaine Anonymous. Focusing on the same concepts as Alcoholics Anonymous, the group only asks members to find a higher power12-step programs greatly stress surrender to and daily communication with a Higher Power. Having trust in something greater than yourself is considered essential for returning sanity in the unmanageable life of an addict. This can be a traditional deity, a spiritual entity or a social one such as th... that is greater than themselves.
Why Cocaine Anonymous is Effective
One of the biggest reasons that Cocaine Anonymous is effective and works for its members is because it implements the same 12-step process as Alcoholics Anonymous, which has proven to be successful. Working the steps in the program and obtaining a sponsor is one of the most effective ways that the program helps members to stay sober and improve their quality of life. Because getting and staying sober is just one of the steps of the program, Cocaine Anonymous also focuses on ways to improve relationships, characteristics of one’s self and any other troubled areas in each individual’s life.
Cocaine Anonymous is a place where people can share their experiences, strengths and hopes with other individuals who struggle with addiction and send the message that they are not alone. There are meetings available all over the world and for those who cannot attend face-to-face meetings, online meetings are now available through the official website.
What Else to Know About Cocaine Anonymous
Even though the program of Cocaine Anonymous implements the “Big Book” from Alcoholics Anonymous as their primary source of literature, there are many free pamphlets available online for newcomers or individuals who are starting their own meetings. Some of the literature includes “Hope, Faith, and Courage,” volumes 1 and 2, and pamphlets about having fun in recoveryThe process by which addicts attempt to break the hold a certain substance or behavior has on their lives. This can refer to participation in a wide variety of methods. What they all have in common, is a sense that life is improving and the addict is regaining control., home groups, self testing and more. Because the fellowship welcomes all members from any culture or group, pamphlets are also available for young adults, the hearing impaired, the LGBTQ community and more. Cocaine Anonymous also holds regional conventions that members can attend.
Meetings are open to anyone who feels not only that they have a problem with cocaine, but a problem with mind-altering substances, which is why the group sometimes holds meetings with the focus only on the mind-altering substances. The group’s focus is based on the abstinenceThe act of not partaking in the substance or activity to which a member is addicted. The length of sobriety of addicts is determined following the period of abstinence. from all drugs in general. Because vowing to never use again is too much for individuals to promise themselves, the program of Cocaine Anonymous focuses on taking every day one day at a time.
For many members, one of the most important things to keep in mind is the idea that their lives depend on them remaining drug-free. For almost all of these individuals, their survival depends on it. Staying sober and abstaining from drugs is the priority of the program, but working the steps is going to allow members to improve every other aspect of their lives, from mending relationships to dissecting character defectsWhile working the 12-steps, individuals are encouraged to take inventory of their character defects and ask their Higher Power to remove them. These problematic personality aspects are often associated with unhealthy behavior and hurting others. Defects are not usually caused by the addiction but ma... in themselves.
Building a support system, obtaining numbers from fellow members and reading all of the information provided in the groups can help newcomers and individuals with the desire to stop using drugs is the best way to begin the process of recovery. Members are reminded to keep in mind that recovery is a process and it doesn’t happen overnight; the first step to staying sober is admitting powerlessness over cocaine and drugs.
12 Steps of Cocaine Anonymous (CA)
1. We admitted we were powerless over cocaine and all other mind-altering substances — that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventoryStep 4 recommends the addict conduct “a searching and fearless moral inventory.” This involves coming to terms with the flaws which preceded addiction and those that came as a result of it. of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contactBuilding a relationship with a Higher Power is a crucial element in recovery. This involves conscious contact with a Higher Power through prayer and meditation regularly. with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
-ca.org
12 Traditions of Cocaine Anonymous (CA)
1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon C.A. unity.
2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority — a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.
3. The only requirement for C.A. membership is a desire to stop using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances.
4. Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or C.A. as a whole.
5. Each group has but one primary purpose — to carry its message to the addictAn individual with an unhealthy dependence on a substance or behavior. An individual remains an addict even years into recovery and must therefore remain active in recovery. Read more about drug & alcohol addiction & withdrawal at Withdrawal Info. who still suffers.
6. A C.A. group ought never endorse, finance, or lend the C.A. name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property and prestige divert us from our primary purpose.
7. Every C.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.
8. Cocaine Anonymous should remain forever nonprofessional, but our serviceAA and other 12-step fellowships do not normally have employees. Instead, members volunteer and take roles necessary for the operation of the different groups and the larger infrastructure of the fellowship. Common roles of service include secretary, treasurer, and chairing meetings. centers may employ special workers.
9. C.A., as such, ought never be organized; but we may create service boards or committees directly responsible to those they serve.
10. Cocaine Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the C.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy.
11. Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymityAlcoholics Anonymous and all the 12 step groups modeled after it, protect the anonymity of its members. Members are forbidden from disclosing the identity of other addicts to outside sources or identifying themselves with the group on any form of public media. The idea behind this is to focus on the... at the level of press, radio, television and films.
12. Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
-ca.org
Read more about 12-step programs for substance abuse.